Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Aquaponic Systems Growing Methods

Aquaponic Systems Growing Methods

The way aquaponic systems are built are endless. The
two parts that are the same are the fish tank and a plant bed. Some of
the differences include filtration techniques, plumbing, the type of
plant bed, growing medium, and the frequency of water and aeration. Some
of the more popular aquaponic methods emerging in the industry are
methods based on a hydroponic system design, and raising fish for
filtration.

Raft Methode

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

The raft system method is the first of our easy aquaponic systems.
The raft system is also known as deep channel, float and deep flow. The
plants are grown on rafts made from Styrofoam boards that float on the
water. The rafts are usually in a tank separate from the fish tank.
Water flows continuously from the fish tank, through filtration
components, through the raft tank where the plants are grown and then
back to the fish tank. The beneficial bacteria live in the raft tank and
throughout the system.
The water in the raft tank provides a buffer for the fish, reducing
stress and potential water quality problems. This is one of the greatest
benefits of the raft system. Plus, this method has been improved for
over 20 years. The raft system is a well developed method that allows
for high plant production per square foot. Commercial raft systems can
cover large areas, best utilizing the floor space in a greenhouse.
Vegetable seedlings are best placed on one end of the raft tank. The
rafts are pushed forward on the surface of the water over time and then
the mature plants are harvested at the other end of the raft. Once a
raft is harvested, it can be replanted with seedlings and set into place
on the opposite end. The optimizes floor space, which is especially
important in a commercial greenhouse setting.

The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) Method

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

The second setup is hydroponic NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), which is a
method in which long narrow channels are used to grow the plants. A
thin film of water continuously flows down each channel, providing the
plant roots with water, nutrients and oxygen. As with the raft system,
water flows continuously from the fish tank, through filtration
components, through the NFT channels where the plants are grown and then
back to the fish tank. In NFT, a separate bio filter is required,
however, because there is not a large amount of water or surface for the
beneficial bacteria to live. In addition, the plumbing used in a
hydroponic NFT system is usually not large enough to be used in
aquaponics because the organic nature of the system and “living” water
will cause clogging of small pipes and tubes. NFT aquaponics shows
potential however, it is used less than other aquaponic methods.

The EBB (Flood and Drain) Method

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

Hydroponic EBB and Flow is the third method of aquaponic systems. EBB
and Flow or Flood and Drain uses media filled beds that are periodically
flooded with water from the fish tank. The water is drained after the
water level rises above the bell siphon and flows back to the fish tank.
All waste, including the solids, is broken down within the plant bed.
Sometimes worms are added to the gravel-filled plant bed to enhance the
break-down of the waste. This method uses the fewest components and no
additional filtration, making it simple to operate and naming it one of
the best aquaponic system methods. The plant production is less than the
two methods described above. The media-filled bed is often used for
hobby applications where maximizing production is not a goal.

The Aeroponic Method

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

Another method that can be use with aquaponic systems it the basic
principle of aeroponics. Your vegetables and plants are suspended in a
closed or semi-closed environment by spraying the plant’s dangling roots
and lower stem with an nutrient-rich fish water. The leaves and crown,
often called the “canopy”, extend above the the growing container. The
roots of the plant are separated by the plant support structure. Many
times closed cell foam is compressed around the lower stem and inserted
into an opening in the aeroponic chamber, which decreases labor and
expense; for larger plants, a trellis structure is used to suspend the
weight of your crops.
Ideally, your system is kept free from bugs, pests and disease so
that the plants may grow healthier and more quickly than plants grown in
a medium or the soil. However, since most aeroponic environments are
not perfectly closed off to the outside, pests and disease may still
cause a threat. Controlled environments advance plant development,
health, growth, flowering and fruiting for any given plant species and
cultivators.